Objective: To compare the clinical therapeutic effect on acute ischemic stroke between Naochang Tongtiao acupuncture (acupuncture for brain-gut homology) and conventional acupuncture, and to explore the possible mechanism.
Methods: A total of 64 patients with acute ischemic stroke were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 32 cases in each one. Basic western medical therapy was adopted in both groups. In the observation group, Naochang Tongtiao acupuncture was applied at anterior oblique line of vertex-temporal, Zhongwan (CV 12), Guanyuan (CV 4), Tianshu (ST 25), Zusanli (ST 36), Shangjuxu (ST 37) and Xiajuxu (ST 39). In the control group, conventional acupuncture was applied. The treatment was given once a day, 6 days a week for 3 weeks in both groups. Before and after treatment, National Institution of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) score, serum levels of interleukin-17 (IL-17) and hypersensitive C reactive protein (hs-CRP), and plasma level of trimethylamine oxide (TMAO) were compared in the two groups.
Results: After treatment, NIHSS scores, serum levels of IL-17 and hs-CRP, and plasma levels of TMAO were decreased compared before treatment in both groups (P<0.01), and those in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Naochang Tongtiao acupuncture can improve the nerve function in patients with acute ischemic stroke, its therapeutic effect is superior to conventional acupuncture, the mechanism may relate to the regulation on inflammatory reaction and the level of intestinal flora metabolite.
目的：比较“脑肠同调”法针刺与常规针刺治疗急性脑梗死的临床疗效，并探讨其作用机制。方法：将64例急性脑梗死患者随机分为观察组和对照组，每组32例。两组均采用西医基础治疗，观察组予“脑肠同调”法针刺治疗，穴取顶颞前斜线、中脘、关元、天枢、足三里、上巨虚、下巨虚；对照组予常规针刺治疗，均每日1次，每周治疗6 d，共治疗3周。比较两组患者治疗前后美国国立卫生院卒中量表（NIHSS）评分，血清白细胞介素17（IL-17）、超敏C反应蛋白（hs-CRP）水平，及血浆氧化三甲胺（TMAO）水平。结果：治疗后，两组患者NIHSS评分，血清IL-17、hs-CRP水平，血浆TMAO水平均较治疗前降低（P<0.01），且观察组低于对照组（P<0.05）。结论：“脑肠同调”法针刺可改善急性脑梗死患者神经功能，疗效优于常规针刺。其机制可能与调节炎性反应及肠道菌群代谢产物水平有关。.
Keywords: Naochang Tongtiao acupuncture; National Institution of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) score; acute ischemic stroke; hypersensitive C reactive protein (hs-CRP); interleukin-17 (IL-17); trimethylamine oxide (TMAO).